Who is Rodrigo Duterte, when did he meet Donald Trump and what’s his ‘war on drugs’ in the Philippines?

Hardman leader Rodrigo Duterte was swept to power on his populist stance against drugs - but he has been accused of endorsing or even ordering vigilante killings

By Ellie Cambridge and Neal Baker

4th December 2017, 2:20 pm

Updated: 4th December 2017, 2:25 pm

RODRIGO Duterte is the 'tough guy' President of the Philippines who swept to power last year on a populist anti-drugs and anti-corruption mandate.

Since he took office in June 2016 thousands of people have lost their lives as vigilantes carry out the orders to eradicate the epidemic drug problem in the country — with critics laying the blame for the bloodshed at Duterte's door — but who is the Philippines' strong man?

Reuters

The 71-year-old come into power in June 2016 and promised to deal with the drug problems facing the country

Who is Rodrigo Duterte?

Rodrigo Duterte is a Filipino politician and the current President of the Philippines.